Simmons Tennis freshman Sabrina Salmela (Beverly, Mass.) earned the highest All-Conference honors awarded by the GNAC, the conference announced on Saturday. Salmela was named both Player AND Rookie of the Year for 2009, reflecting her remarkable achievement of going undefeated at #1 singles in the GNAC as a freshman this fall.

Salmela, junior Maile Macleod (Carlsbad, Calif.) and junior Katy Hallinan (Maynard, Mass.) each earned a spot on the GNAC First Team for Singles. In addition, Macleod and Salmela were named to the GNAC First Team for doubles. Macleod was also named to the All-Conference Sportsmanship Team.

Salmela has started to make a name for herself as a college freshman, playing in the #1 singles and doubles position for the Sharks. Salmela has become a rock for Simmons after defeating competition from 21st-ranked Vassar at the ITA, and sweeping GNAC Rookie of the Week honors five times, each week of the season, and earning Player of the Week in the final week of the season, prior to All-Conference announcements.

"Sabrina had an amazing season for the Sharks. The fact that she did so as a freshman is even more impressive," said Head Coach Bob Rauseo. "To go undefeated in the #1 singles spot is a first for Simmons so this is a season we'll remember.  In addition to doing so well on the court, she has proven to be a great teammate and sportswoman."

In the #1 doubles spot, Salmela and Macleod have anchored the Simmons doubles squad all season, collecting a 10-4 overall record and a 5-1 GNAC record. The duo has been a big part of another winning season for Simmons Tennis.

Macleod has been a force at #2 singles for the Sharks this fall, earning GNAC Player of the Week once this season. Macleod was the only player from Simmons to earn a victory vs. NESCAC school Wesleyan at #2 singles this fall.

Maile had a great season for the Sharks." said Rauseo. " She was part of the best doubles team in the conference. She also won all but one conference singles match."

Hallinan has been a very strong #3 singles and doubles player for Simmons in 2009. She is undefeated in the GNAC (3-0 singles, 3-0 doubles), and has also notched wins against opponents from Babson and Mount Holyoke in 2009.

"Katy continues her brilliant GNAC career. She was undefeated in both conference singles and doubles. She played despite not being 100%, and was still able to come up with win after win."